Integrated Life Sciences Learning Centre

Our new facility includes a brand-new Simulation Theatre and Anatomy & Pathology Resource Centre as well as the Biological Anthropology Research Centre. This project helps to bring simulation to the forefront of teaching within our archaeology, biomedical science, clinical sciences, chemistry, forensic science and pharmacy programmes, both in terms of teaching and learning, and also autonomous development using self-directed study sessions, open to any students.

View 360 degree virtual tours of some of the new facilities in the centre from the menus below.

Anatomy and Pathology Resource Centre

The anatomy and pathology resource centre is the new home to the digital autopsy table, to a collection of human anatomical specimens and to a wide variety of high-quality anatomical models, alongside high-end audio-visual equipment for accessing online and digital resources. The main focus of the resource centre is to allow students to access information whilst studying physical specimens, and to use cutting-edge technology to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.

The iGene digital autopsy table is the only one of its kind in an educational institute, developed to be used by pathologists to provide an alternative to invasive (traditional) post-mortems. Using high-resolution scanning technology, consented cadavers are scanned and the digital files anonymised, providing exceptional teaching tools for students of Life Sciences, whether for normal anatomy or for pathology of disease.

Moving from the cutting-edge of technology back to methods used since the beginning of anatomical teaching, our collection of anatomical specimens allows students to handle and examine organs and sections of the body, in order to “bring to life” their knowledge from textbooks and taught sessions. In conjunction with the models housed in this room, our students can access a wide range of resources and information from a single centre, integrating traditional and technology-enhanced learning.

Biological Anthropology Research Centre

The Biological Anthropology Research Centre (BARC) specialises in the analysis of skeletonised human remains and includes teaching and research laboratories, our extensive collection of archaeological human remains and our radiography lab.

Keith Manchester Laboratory

The Keith Manchester Lab is our human remains teaching lab. The AV equipment includes a large touchscreen where we can explore 3D anatomical and skeletal models, including those created as part of the Digitised Diseases project. We have ample space for laying out skeletons on tables cushioned with plastazote foam. The photography rig allows us to take photographs of full skeletons from directly above, using wireless technology controlled by an iPad or SurfacePro tablet. Wall mounted light boxes allow us to view radiography films alongside digital radiograph images on a high resolution screen bank. The lab contains a wide range of anatomical models, age estimation and sex assessment standards, and osteometric equipment.

Bone Store

The Bone Store is climate controlled to museum standards and houses our extensive collection of archaeological human remains, dating from the Neolithic to the 19th century. At over 4000 individuals, this is the largest teaching collection in an archaeology department in the UK. Our extensive film radiograph collection includes both x-rays of both clinical and skeletal cases; we are in the process of fully digitising this collection in conjunction with Bradford Visualisation.

Radiography Laboratory

Our Radiography Laboratory is set up with industrial radiography equipment. This allows us to take radiographs of bones, archaeological artefacts and other objects at a wide range of kV levels, giving imaging capabilities beyond those used in medical radiography. Images are exposed using the photo-stimulable luminescence method (phosphor imaging plates) in our Faxitron X-ray cabinet and are then processed by our Fujifilm DynamIx CR system, with imaging capabilities at 25, 50 and 100 microns.

Don Ortner Laboratory

The Don Ortner Laboratory is used for doctoral and post-doctoral research. We have a wide range of osteometric equipment, including coordinating and dental calipers, radiometer and torsiometer and an endoscope for exploring the internal structures of bone.

Osteology Workroom

The Osteology Workroom offers additional laying out space for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students undertaking assignments and dissertations.

Simulation Suite

The Simulation Suite has been specifically designed to house our human patient simulator, iStan, and the virtual dissection Anatomage table in a comfortable learning environment.

iStan is a high-fidelity patient simulator used to teach physiology and pharmacology, focussing on the effects of different drugs, diseases and pathology on the human body in different situations.

Students can use iStan to demonstrate how an individual's age or health status affects the way that their body metabolises drugs; see how one drug can enhance or prevent another drugs effects, to the benefit or detriment of the patient; demonstrates drug effects in real-time, providing experiential learning; and apply and explore their knowledge of drug actions in a comfortable but hands-on environment.

The Anatomage table is a touch-screen controlled set of digitised images, designed to enable students to investigate the different structures and systems in the human body.

Students can build up a specific body system (ie digestive, cardiovascular or respiratory system); study a whole body and its components in cross-section; investigate the relationship between different structures; study specific structures, to the level of a single blood vessel or bone; identify and label individual structures; compare and contrast male and female anatomy; and study clinical cases relating to the topics they are studying.